Community Grants
Borough-wide and Local Area Committee community grant schemes
Our schemes offers grants across the Borough and priority is given to groups whose aims reflect the Council’s priorities of promoting health, prosperity, the environment, community development and community involvement.
Eastleigh Compact
The Eastleigh Compact is an agreement between the Council and voluntary and community sector organisations serving the Borough. It is a mutually agreed document that outlines how we will work together now and in the future and applying for our grants often include mandatory membership.
Who can apply for our grants?
Non-profit making community groups, voluntary organisations, trusts, friendly societies, social enterprises and community interest companies can apply provided that, in all cases, their objectives are charitable as defined by the Charity Act 2006. They can provide a service directly, offer advice/information or promote self-help and must have a wide community benefit and be open to anyone.
The group will need to have a constitution (set of rules), a bank account in its own name (which requires at least two signatures on each cheque) and a set of accounts. The group will also need to have adequate insurance and ensure that appropriate checks are carried out on staff and volunteers if they work with vulnerable groups.
NEW Covid Recovery grant
This new fund offers grants of up to £10,000 to provide local community groups and organisations with the chance to apply for funding to help local people who are still recovering from the mental and physical effects of Covid.
When can I apply?
Applications open 18 September and close 1 March 2024 (or until the fund is fully allocated, whichever comes first).
Grants are awarded at monthly reviews.
What the fund supports
- Activities that support the ongoing needs of vulnerable people to ensure that their health and wellbeing is maintained
- Groups and activities that support vulnerable people who were shielding and / or self-isolating (older people, people with pre-existing medical conditions etc) and help their reintegration into the wider community
organisations that support individuals suffering hardship caused by the pandemic - Organisations that support mental health, bereavement and emotional needs arising from the pandemic
- Engagement with Hard-to-Reach Groups - including re-engaging people with communities and language support
- Mental Health Support (low level) for young people and adults
- Physical health support for conditions caused by Covid e.g. mobility, long covid.
What the fund will not support
- Council bodies
- Activities of a political or religious nature
- Activities which do not meet the desired outcomes of the fund
- Projects that have already taken place
- Loan against loss or debt
- Items that are purchased on behalf of another organisation
- Organisations which are not based in Eastleigh Borough, unless they can demonstrate the project work will occur exclusively within the Borough
- Maintenance and/or repair of buildings
- Core service salary costs
Local Area Committee grants
The following Local Areas Committees (LACs) distribute grants to charities and not for profit organisations within their areas, please note each timeline.
Who administrates the local grants?
Once your application form has been submitted, the appropriate LAC will consider your application and you will be informed of their decision.
Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound LAC
Open all year round.
Check the area boundary
Chandler's Ford & Hiltingbury LAC
Applications open 18 September and close 30 October
Check the area boundary
Hedge End, West End & Botley LAC
Applications open 11 September and close 30 October
Check the area boundary
Annual borough-wide community grant
The Borough-wide scheme offers grants of up to £1,000, and priority is given to groups whose aims reflect our priorities of promoting health, prosperity, the environment, community development and community involvement, with a focus on doing more for less, for example, projects that help the community save money or make their money go further, like an upcycling project.
When do I apply?
Wednesday 10 January to Wednesday 21 February 2024, 12 noon.
What can the grant be used for?
- Purchase of equipment or materials
- Contribution towards running costs
- Funding specific projects
- Development of the organisation.
How to apply
When applications are open an online Community Grants Application Form will be live. You will be asked to supply a copy of the most recent accounts and bank statement to support your online application. If your application is successful, you will be also required to supply a copy of the following:
- a copy of the constitution or other governing instrument;
- a copy of your equal opportunities policy/statement;
- a copy of your safeguarding policy (if appropriate); and
- equal opportunities monitoring information (optional).
Equality Act 2010
In order to ensure the Council is complying with the Equality Act 2010, we are now seeking monitoring information from organisations who apply for our grants. Please could you complete a monitoring information form and send it with your application.
Please note: The information gathered will not be part of the application process.
The information will be used to develop a profile of the organisations which apply for grant funding. You do not need to supply this information but we will be grateful if you do.